Gor Mahia saw their journey in the 2026/27 Champions League campaign come to an end at the first preliminary round after losing 7-1 on aggregate to the former champions.
Having lost the first 2-0 in Nairobi, Gor Mahia went into the return leg seeking to overturn the outcome. However, Gor Mahia suffered a 5-1 defeat, and thus crashed out with Pyramids progressing to the second preliminary round of the lucrative competition.
The 5-1 defeat was a difficult one to digest for Gor Mahia coach Akonnor. The Ghanaian coach was left fuming while admitting his side were on course for a good result but individual mistakes dealt them a major blow.
Walid El Karti, who had scored in the first leg, rose unopposed to head home the opener for Pyramids; Nasser Maher doubled the lead before a defensive blunder allowed Youssef Obama to make it 3-0.
David Okoth pulled one back for Gor Mahia with a well-worked effort, but two goals in the closing stages courtesy of Mostafa Ziko sealed the emphatic victory for Pyramids while sending Gor Mahia packing from the competition.
Gor Mahia mistakes not acceptable
“What they did in the second half was a matter of aggression. We lost the ball in midfield and we were going forward hoping to get another goal and an equaliser, but at this level we can’t perform like that, especially when you are playing against such a team,” a fuming Akonnor told the media after the game.
“The mistakes and errors we made are not acceptable. They were elementary ones. At that level, you can’t make such mistakes.”
Akonnor added: “But to be honest, I’m really, really upset with the individual errors that we’ve made. We gave them four goals as a result of individual mistakes. And at this level, you don’t make such mistakes. It’s unacceptable.
“Even at a time when they were leading 3-1, we were pushing. Again, mistakes…it’s becoming too much. I’m really upset. I’m really upset with some of the guys you even rely on as players who are senior players, who are national players.
“You don’t expect them to make such mistakes. It’s really bad to consider such goals. It's not acceptable.”
Gor Mahia shift to domestic campaign
On his game plan, Akonnor said: “I said if we are in the danger zone, clear the ball, but we just expose ourselves. These things were the biggest errors which cost us.
“These are errors which players, who are on a national level, should know. This was so disappointing to see from a team which we have encouraged to try and do well.”
The defeat means Gor Mahia will shift their focus to the domestic competitions where they will defend their FKF Premier League title, and participate in the domestic FKF Cup.
The Kenyan league is yet to kick off owing to a court case, but when asked what's next for the mighty Kenyan club, Akonnor replied: “Now, we have to be focused; the Champions League is over.
“I must say that it’s unfortunate; the draw was a little bit unfair for us and the league is also not ongoing. There are so many factors. But it’s not an excuse.
“Hopefully we can go back and correct our mistakes and do well. I mean, players must wake up because this is their job, and such mistakes are unacceptable.”
Gor Mahia were returning to continental football after missing out last season. Kenya Police were the representatives in the Champions League campaign.
In the 2019 sojourn, K’Ogalo had a sterling performance in the group stages and qualified for the quarter-finals losing to RS Berkane of Morocco.
Their last attempt in the 2021/22 season fell at the return leg against NAPSA Stars when a last-second penalty awarded to the Zambian outfit saw the team bow out.
